INSA Names Ambassador John Negroponte to Chair Board

A new era of leadership for the intelligence and national security community

ARLINGTON, VA (December 18, 2012) – The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) announced today the selection of former Director of National Intelligence, Ambassador John Negroponte to be the new Chairman of its Board of Directors. Ambassador Negroponte takes over for outgoing Chairwoman Fran Townsend, former Homeland Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, whose term is ending. INSA provides a critical service to both the public and private sectors as a trusted resource and venue for discussing challenging policy issues at a time when the Intelligence Community is facing diminished budgets, yet increasing demands on its capability and capacity to support national security. In this environment, Ambassador Negroponte is uniquely qualified to lead the organization as the forum for creative problem resolution for issues the country faces related to intelligence and national security.

“I am pleased and proud to have been selected as Chairman of the INSA Board of Directors, succeeding Fran Townsend. I look forward to working closely with the INSA Board, INSA Members and with Acting President Chuck Alsup as INSA works to keep salient intelligence and national security issues before the public and our government,” said Ambassador John Negroponte.

Ambassador Negroponte has held important posts as a diplomat and in a variety of high-level national security positions. He served as the U.S. ambassador to Honduras, Mexico, the Philippines, and most recently, Iraq. He also served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He has served twice on the National Security Council staff, first under President Nixon, as the director for Vietnam and then under President Reagan as the deputy national security advisor. Later, under President George W. Bush, he held a Cabinet level position as the first Director of National Intelligence. He most recently served as Deputy Secretary of State. Ambassador Negroponte currently serves as vice chairman of McLarty Associates and is a senior research fellow and lecturer at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

Fran Townsend, INSA’s outgoing Chairwoman of the Board said, “I could not be more pleased to be passing the baton of leadership to Ambassador Negroponte. He will bring an intimate understanding of the issues facing the Intelligence Community and the ability to bring the key players together to design creative solutions to these challenges. With this choice, INSA secures its unique position as the organization providing high level thought leadership to the Intelligence Community.”

As Chairman, Ambassador Negroponte will preside over, guide and manage INSA’s Board of Directors and work with the Board and staff to further develop and implement INSA’s strategic vision, policies and programs to advance the interests of the INSA membership. The new Chairman’s first task will be to oversee the hiring of a new INSA President and continue to develop its Board of Directors. Ambassador Negroponte will join an esteemed group of INSA Board Chairs including Ken Minihan (2005 – 2006), Mike McConnell (2006 – 2007), John Brennan (2007 – 2008) and Fran Townsend (2009 – 2012).

“I know I speak for our entire staff in saying that I am thrilled that Ambassador Negroponte will be leading the INSA team. He is the ideal person to lead INSA to the next level of relevant service and support to the intelligence and national security communities. With him at the helm, I am confident INSA’s great work—the non-partisan collaboration, networking and examination of policy issues and solutions—will reach a much broader audience,” said Chuck Alsup, INSA Acting President and Vice President for Policy.

About INSA

The Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) is the premier intelligence and national security organization that brings together the public, private and academic sectors to collaborate on the most challenging policy issues and solutions. As a non-profit, non-partisan, public-private organization, INSA’s ultimate goal is to promote and recognize the highest standards within the national security and intelligence communities. INSA has over 150 corporate members and several hundred individual members who are leaders and senior executives throughout government, the private sector and academia. To learn more about INSA visit www.insaonline.org.